Weed suppression system and method

ABSTRACT

A bag constructed of a weed suppression material for packaging a ground cover material. When the bag is in a closed configuration, the bag serves as a container for shipping, handling, and storage of the ground cover material. When the bag is opened and unfolded, and the ground cover material within the bag is spread over the opened and unfolded bag, the bag serves as a layer of weed suppression material on top of underlying soil and beneath the ground cover. The weed suppression material is a porous, water permeable, biodegradable film made from mixtures of a polybutylene succinate (PBS) resin, a polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA) resin, a polylactic acid (PLA) resin, a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) resin, a polybutylene adipate succinate (PBAS) resin, or a thermoplastic starch (TPS).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/768,472, filed Aug. 18, 2015, whichis the national phase application of Patent Cooperation TreatyInternational Application No. PCT/US2014/047556, filed Jul. 22, 2014,which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/157,650,filed Jan. 17, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,935,882, which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/959,204, filed Aug. 5, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,931,211, which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/795,841, filed Jun. 8, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,522,476, whichclaims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/219,137,filed Jun. 22, 2009, and this application claims priority to and is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/467,352,filed Aug. 25, 2014, which is a divisional application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/959,204, filed Aug. 5, 2013, which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/795,841, filed Jun. 8, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,522,476, whichclaims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/219,137,filed Jun. 22, 2009 all of which are incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a bag for packaging landscapingmaterial particularly ground cover, relates to fabric for constructingthe bag, and relates to methods for using the bag for weed suppression,pest control, soil amendments, and water control.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a planting bed for flowers and/or vegetables, a ground cover,including mulches, rock, composted soil (garden soil or potting soil),and ground synthetic particles, is often spread on top of the soil amongthe flowering plants and/or the vegetables plants. The ground coveroffers several advantages. The ground cover can be selected to maintainsoil moisture or to inhibit soil compaction. In the case of flower beds,the ground cover can be selected to create a pleasing aestheticappearance to show off the flowers.

In order to lower the maintenance required for planting beds,particularly to inhibit the growth of weeds in the planting beds, aseparate weed suppression material is often laid on top of the soil andunder the ground cover.

In planting individual plants, such as flowers and/or vegetables, in aplanting bed, the soil of the planting bed often needs amendment by theaddition of a top layer of enriched composted soil. In addition, weedsin the planting bed should be controlled as the flowers and/orvegetables mature. Further, moisture should be retained in the soil ofthe planting bed. Therefore, a need exists for a simple method forplanting individual plants, such as flowers and/or vegetables, in aplanting bed that addresses the need for soil amendment, weed control inthe planting bed, pest control, and moisture retention.

At the beginning of a growing season, the underlying soil of a plantingbed typically is tilled in order to prepare the planting bed for newplants. Consequently, the weed suppression material from the previousgrowing season must not interfere with the tillage implements used forpreparing the planting bed for the next growing season. Further, a needexists for a weed suppression material that is soil biodegradable.Particularly, the weed suppression material should remain sufficientlyintact to control the weeds for a growing season and then shouldbiodegrade into the surrounding soil during the next few growing seasonsso that the weed suppression material does not build up in the soil andinterfere with tillage and planting. Bags made from a soil biodegradableweed suppression material must also be strong and durable enough toaccommodate shipping, handling, and storage.

Organic materials and mulches located adjacent the foundation of abuilding create a risk of insect intrusion and of water damage.Consequently, a need exists to easily create a buffer zone of rock alongthe perimeter of the foundation of the building to inhibit insectintrusion, control water damage, and control weeds.

Downspouts from the gutters of a building create the potential forerosion at the site where the downspout discharges water onto thelandscape around the building. Therefore, a need exists for erosioncontrol at the discharge point of the building downspouts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the need for a ground cover and the needfor a weed suppression material for a planting bed. Particularly, thepresent invention comprises a bag constructed of a fabric that serves asa weed suppression material for packaging a ground cover. When the bagof the present invention is in its closed configuration, the bag servesas a container for shipping, handling, and storage of the ground cover.When installing the ground cover in the planting bed, the bag of thepresent invention is opened and unfolded, and the ground cover withinthe bag is spread over the opened and unfolded bag. Consequently, thebag fabric serves as a layer of weed suppression material on top of theunderlying soil and beneath the ground cover.

The ground cover that may be used in connection with the bag of thepresent invention may include mulches, such as pine straw, chipped woodbark, grain straws, shredded wood materials, or other mulches known tothose of ordinary skill in the landscaping art. The ground cover mayalso include rock, including sand, crushed stone, gravel, pea gravel,graded stone, shale, or other rock materials known to those of ordinaryskill in the landscaping art. The ground cover may also include groundsynthetic particles, such as ground rubber particles and ground plasticparticles. The ground cover may also include composted soil.

The weed suppression material for the bag of the present invention maybe a sheet of perforated plastic, biodegradable/compostable plasticfilm, paper, cardboard, or cloth fabric. For most planting bedapplications, the weed suppression material should be porous in order toallow water and air to pass through the weed suppression material to theroots of the plants in the underlying soil. The bag of the presentinvention may be constructed with an impervious temporary outer coatingor an impervious internal liner to ensure integrity of the bag duringshipping, handling, and storage. The temporary coating or linerdissolves when the bag comes in contact with moist soil, or thetemporary liner is manually removed when the bag is opened. Further, theweed suppression material of the bag may be biodegradable within a 3 to42 month period of time to ensure suppression of weeds during thegrowing season and to ensure that there is no long-term buildup of theweed suppression material in the planting bed from growing season togrowing season. The weed suppression material of the bag may also becompostable. The weed suppression material of the bag may be colored onthe inside to match the color of the ground cover packaged in the bag sothat when in place, the bag, underlying the ground cover material, willnot be obtrusive in the planting bed. The weed suppression materialcomprising the bag may also be coated or impregnated with an additiveincluding fertilizer, pesticide, or beneficial microbes for release intothe underlying soil. Because the area of the unfolded bag is a knownparameter, the bag can be impregnated with an accurate dose offertilizer, pesticide, or beneficial microbes to the underlying soil.Further, the weed suppression material comprising the bag may also becoated with or impregnated with an antimicrobial so that the bag doesnot mildew or mold during shipping, handling, or storage.

For bags used in planting beds, the weed suppression material that formsthe bag is preferably biodegradable in the surrounding soil. Thebiodegradable weed suppression material is designed to degrade in thesurrounding soil within 3-42 months depending on the application so thatthe weed suppression material does not build up in the planting bed fromgrowing season to growing season. A particularly advantageous bagmaterial that serves as a biodegradable weed suppression material forthe bags of the present invention includes a porous, water permeable,biodegradable film made from a polybutylene succinate (PBS) resin or aporous film made from a blend of a PBS resin and a polyhydroxy alkanoate(PHA) resin. The porous films used as weed suppression materials includefilms made from blends of 100%-25% PBS resin and 0%-75% PHA resin. Othersuitable resins for the weed suppression material of the presentinvention include polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene adipateterephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene adipate succinate (PBAS),thermoplastic starch (TPS), and mixtures thereof. Where more rapidbiodegradation is required, the mixtures of the identified PBS resin andthe identified PHA resin include less PHA resin. Alternatively, whereslower biodegradation is required, the mixtures of the identified PBSresin and the identified PHA resin include more PHA resin.Biodegradation time can be controlled by alternative blends of theresins identified above.

The porous, water permeable, biodegradable weed suppression material iscreated by a blown film extrusion process and then microperforated formoisture and vapor control. The resins may include any additive to thebiodegradable resin mixture that does not affect biodegradability. Suchadditives may include for example, moisture control agents, fillers,colorants, and compatibilizers. Alternatively, the resins may includeadditives that control degradation by undesired factors such as UVstabilizers and thermal stabilizers. The thickness of the porous, waterpermeable, biodegradable weed suppression material ranges from 1.0 milto 10.0 mil depending on upon the application and location of use.Preferably, the thickness of the weed suppression material ranges from1.5 mils to 6.0 mils. Such thicknesses represent a range in which thebags made from the biodegradable weed suppression material aresufficiently strong to accommodate shipping, handling, and storageduring a 4 to 6 month supply chain time period and yet are biodegradewithin a 3 to 42 month period of time once exposed to the underlyingsoil in the planting bed.

In applications where the ground cover is spread over a large areawithout planting beds, the weed suppression material may be imperviousto both air and water to ensure total weed control by depriving theweeds in the underlying soil of moisture and air. In such circumstances,the impervious weed suppression material may also be used to direct theflow of water toward drainage facilities or toward adjacent plant bedsto increase the water available for such adjacent plant beds. Such animpervious weed suppression material may include, among other materials,a plastic film or a coated paper laminate.

The bag constructed of weed suppression material in accordance with thepresent invention has indicia on its outer surface indicating where andhow the bag should be opened. Particularly, the indicia may comprisebonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tear strips,perforations, or printed cut lines to facilitate opening and use of thebag as a weed suppression material. In one embodiment of the bag inaccordance with the present invention, the bag may have bonded seams(glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printedcut lines arranged in the form of a capital “I”, with the leg of the “1”running along the center of the length of the bag and with the top andbottom bars of the “I” running along the end edges of the bag. In asecond embodiment of the bag in accordance with the present invention,the bag may have bonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tearstrips, perforations, or printed cut lines arranged in the form of acapital “I”, with the leg of the “I” running along the center of thewidth of the bag and with the top and bottom bars of the “I” runningalong the side edges of the bag. In a third embodiment of the bag inaccordance with the present invention, the bag may have bonded seams(glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printedcut lines on both end edges and on one of the side edges of the bag. Ina third embodiment of the bag in accordance with the present invention,the bag may have bonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tearstrips, perforations, or printed cut lines on both side edges and on oneof the end edges of the bag.

In use, the bag of the present invention containing the ground cover(mulch, rock, composted soil, or ground synthetic particles) is laid onthe exposed soil adjacent the plants. The bag is then opened by means ofindicia, such as bonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tearstrips, perforations, or printed cut lines. Once the bag has beenopened, the bag is unfolded around the plants in the planting bed. Holesare cut or torn in the weed suppression material to accommodate theplants in the planting bed. The installation is completed by spreadingthe ground cover over the exposed portions of the unfolded bag.Alternatively, the bag and groundcover may be installed before plantsare installed in the planting bed. In that circumstance, holes are cutor torn in the bag after installation of the bag and ground cover, andthe plants are inserted through the holes in the bag into the underlyingsoil. Where enriched composted soil, such as garden soil is used asground cover, the bag is opened and placed flat over the underlyingsoil. The composted soil in the bag is then spread over the open bag.The plants are then planted through a hole in the open bag and growthrough the composted soil on top of the bag while the weeds in theunderlying soil are suppressed.

The relationship between the size of the bag and the amount of groundcover contained in the bag provides a measure for the properinstallation of the ground cover to the proper depth. In other words,the amount of ground cover included in the bag is just the right amountto cover the bag to the proper depth when the bag is unfolded. In orderto accommodate the volume of ground cover in the bag, the bag may alsoinclude one or more extra panels attached adjacent the bonded seams(glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printedcut lines so that, when the bag is unfolded with the extra panels,additional area of weed suppression material is available to accommodatethe volume of ground cover in the bag.

Further, the bag made of porous, water permeable, biodegradable weedsuppression material and filled with ground cover consisting of plantingmaterial, including but not limited to enriched composted soil, mulches(organic and inorganic), soil amendment products, or mixtures thereof,enables a method of planting individual plants, such as flowers and/orvegetables, in a planting bed while at the same time amending the soilof the planting bed, controlling weeds in the planting bed, andretaining moisture in the planting bed. The bag made of porous, waterpermeable, biodegradable weed suppression material is laid out on theplanting bed, opened along indicia representing means for opening thebag, and unfolded to a flat configuration. Once unfolded, the enrichedsoil is spread out to cover the porous, water permeable, biodegradableweed suppression material. Once the bag has been opened, laid flat, andcovered with the enriched soil, individual openings are made in theenriched soil, the porous, water permeable, biodegradable weedsuppression material, and the underlying soil of the planting bed.Individual plants are inserted into the openings and therefore incontact with the overlying enriched soil, the porous, water permeable,biodegradable weed suppression material, and the underlying soil of theplanting bed.

The present invention also contemplates a foundation buffer bag that isconstructed of a water impermeable, non-degradable material and that isfilled with a ground cover such as a rocks or synthetic particles. Sucha buffer bag enables a method of establishing a protective buffer zoneadjacent the foundation of a building to lower the risk of insectintrusion and water damage. The bag is dimensioned to coincide with thewidth of the buffer zone. The buffer bag is laid out adjacent thefoundation of the building, opened along indicia comprising means foropening the buffer bag, and unfolded to a flat configuration adjacentthe building foundation. Once unfolded, the ground cover in the bufferbag is spread out to cover the flat impermeable, non-degradable bagexcept for a segment at one end. The next buffer bag is laid out in thesame fashion and overlaps the uncovered segment of the first buffer bag.The ground cover in the second buffer bag is then spread out to coverthe overlap leaving another uncovered segment at the opposite end toaccommodate the third buffer bag, and so on to create the buffer zone.Alternatively, the foundation buffer bag may be configured as a bufferspray bag that includes sleeves along the side edges of the front paneland along the side edges of the back panel. Once the spray bag isunfolded, the front panel sleeves and the back panel sleeves formsectioned sleeves along the side edges of the unfolded spray bag withgaps between the front panel sleeves and the back panel sleeves. Tubingmay then be inserted into the sleeves along the edges of the bag, andemitters or spray heads may be connected to the tubes at the gaps. Theemitters or spray heads are then used to spray pesticides onto theground cover thereby creating a pesticide treated a buffer zone adjacentthe foundation of the building. Alternatively, the tubes may be insertedinto the sleeves of the bag prior to shipment.

The present invention also contemplates a downspout bag that isconstructed of a water permeable, non-degradable material and that isfilled with a ground cover such as rocks or synthetic particles. Such adownspout bag enables a method of controlling erosion at the point wherea downspout or other conduit discharges water onto the surroundinglandscape or where other water runoff occurs. The water permeable,non-degradable downspout bag is laid out so that the downspoutdischarges water directly onto the front panel of the bag. Because thedownspout bag is permeable, the water passes into the downspout bag andis dispersed through the bottom panel of the downspout bag into thesurrounding soil. The ground cover in the downspout bag providesstructure for the downspout bag and keeps the back panel of thedownspout bag fully and frictionally engaged with the soil below. Theback panel of the bag may be less water permeable than front panel inorder to partially direct water away from the underlying soil.Alternatively, the water permeable, non-degradable downspout bag may beopened along indicia comprising means for opening the downspout bag andunfolded to a flat configuration under the downspout. The ground coveris then spread over the flat downspout bag so that the water dischargedfrom the downspout impinges directly on the ground cover. The groundcover holds the water permeable, non-degradable material of thedownspout bag securely against the underlying soil to frictionallyengage and hold the soil in place. In a further alternative, the waterpermeable, non-degradable downspout bag may include an additional flapthat extends from one end of the downspout bag to provide a spillway forexcess water that is not retained by the ground cover or dispersedthrough the back panel of the downspout bag into the surrounding soil.The back panel of the bag and the additional flap may be less waterpermeable than the front panel of the bag in order to partially directwater away from the area surrounding the bag and the unfolded flap.

Further objects, features and advantages will become apparent uponconsideration of the following detailed description of the inventionwhen taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of an unopened bag withbonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tear strips,perforations, or printed cut lines in an “I” shape in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 1 opened and unfolded inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of an unopened bag withbonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tear strips,perforations, or printed cut lines in an “I” shape in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 3 opened and unfolded inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of an unopened bag withsewn bonded seams (glued or hot melted), seams, tear strips,perforations, or printed cut lines along two end edges and along oneside edge in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 5 opened and unfolded inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of an unopened bag withsewn bonded seams (glued or hot melted), seams, tear strips,perforations, or printed cut lines along two sides edges and along oneend edge in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 7 opened and unfolded inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a fifth embodiment of an unopened bag withbonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tear strips,perforations, or printed cut lines in an “I” shape in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 9 opened and unfolded andincluding extra panels in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a section view of planting bed soil, of a weed suppressionmaterial of the bags of FIGS. 1-10 opened and unfolded on top of thesoil, and ground cover on top of the weed suppression material all inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a section view of the planting bed soil, of a multilayer weedsuppression material of the bags of FIGS. 1-10 opened and unfolded ontop of the soil, and ground cover on top of the weed suppressionmaterial all in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a downspout bag.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a downspout bag with a flap forming aspillway.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the downspout bag with the flap forming aspillway.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a spray bag with edge sleeves in aclosed configuration.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the spray bag with edge sleeves in apartially opened configuration.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the spray bag with sectioned edge sleeves andwith tubing installed.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the spray bag with sectioned edge sleeves andwith tubing and emitters installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, a first embodiment of a bag 10,constructed of a weed suppression material 12 in accordance with thepresent invention, is illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. FIG. 1 shows the bag 10in its closed configuration. FIG. 2 shows the bag 10 in its openconfiguration. The bag 10 is formed of a weed suppression material 12.The weed suppression material 12 for the bag 10 may be a sheet ofperforated plastic, biodegradable/compostable plastic film, paper,cardboard, or cloth fabric (woven or nonwoven). For most planting bedapplications, the weed suppression material 12 may be a layer 13 (FIG.11) of porous material in order to allow water and air to pass throughthe weed suppression material 12 to the underlying soil 18 (FIG. 11). Inpractice, the porous layer 13 may be implemented by three layers of wetstrength Kraft paper. The number and thickness of individual layerscomprising porous layer 13 may be adjusted to meet the requirements ofshipping, handling, and storage on one hand, and proper porosity for useas a weed suppression material.

The bag 10 of the present invention may also be constructed with animpervious temporary outer coating (not shown) or an impervioustemporary internal liner 15 (FIG. 12) to ensure integrity of the bag 10during shipping, handling, and storage. The temporary impervious outercoating (not shown) dissolves when the weed suppression material 12 bagcomes in contact with moist soil 18 or when the temporary imperviousliner 15 is manually removed when the bag is opened. Further, the weedsuppression material 12 of the bag 10 may be biodegradable within a 3 to42 month period of time to ensure suppression of weeds during thegrowing season and to ensure that the weed suppression material 12 doesnot build up in the planting bed from growing season to growing season.The weed suppression material 12 of the bag 10 may also be compostable.

The weed suppression material 12 of the bag 10 may be colored on theinside of the bag 10 to match the color of the ground cover 14 (FIGS. 11and 12) packaged in the bag 10 so that when the weed suppressionmaterial 12 of the bag 10 is in place under the ground cover material,the weed suppression material 12 will not be obtrusive in the plantingbed. The weed suppression material 12 comprising the bag 10 may also beimpregnated with fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide, herbicide, orbeneficial microbes for release into the underlying soil. Boric acid maybe coated onto the weed suppression material 12 to reduce flammabilityand to provide an insecticide. Further, the weed suppression materialcomprising the bag may also be coated with or impregnated with anantimicrobial so that the bag does not mildew or mold during shipping,handling, and storage. Because the area of the unfolded bag 10 (FIG. 2)is known, the impregnated bag 10 provides an accurate dose offertilizer, pesticide, insecticide, herbicide, or beneficial microbes tothe underlying soil. Likewise, because the area of the unfolded bag isknown, the amount of ground cover contained in the bag can be measuredto ensure that when ground cover is spread on the open bag, the groundcover is at the correct depth.

For bags 10 used in planting beds, the weed suppression material 12 thatforms the bag is preferably biodegradable in the surrounding soil 18(FIGS. 11 and 12). The biodegradable weed suppression material 12 isdesigned to degrade in the surrounding soil 18 within 3 to 42 monthsdepending on the application so that the biodegradable weed suppressionmaterial 12 does not build up in the planting bed from growing season togrowing season. A particularly advantageous bag material that serves asa biodegradable weed suppression material 12 for the bags 10 of thepresent invention includes a porous film made from a polybutylenesuccinate (PBS) resin or a porous film made from a blend of the PBSresin and a polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA) resin. One suitable PBS resin issold by Showa Denko K.K of Tokyo, Japan under the trademark Bionolle1001 MD. One suitable PHA resin is sold by Shenzhen EcomannBiotechnology Co., Ltd. Of Shenzhen, Guangdong, China under thetrademark Ecomann Bioresin EM10080. The weed suppression material mayalso be a film formed from a PLA, PBAT, PBAS, TPS, or mixtures thereof.Two suitable PLA resins are available from Toray Industries, Inc.,Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, 1-1, Nihonbashi-Muromachi 2-chome, Chuo-ku,Tokyo 103-8666, Japan, under the trademark Ecodear and from NatureWorks,LLC, 15305 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka, Minn. 55345 USA under thetrademark Ingeo.

The porous films used as weed suppression materials include films madefrom blends of 100%-25% of the PBS resin and 0%-75% of the PHA resin.Where more rapid biodegradation is required, the mixtures of theidentified PBS resin and the identified PHA resin include less PHAresin. Alternatively, where slower biodegradation is required, themixtures of the identified PBS resin and the identified PHA resininclude more PHA resin. Biodegradation time can be controlled byalternative blends of the resins identified above.

The porous biodegradable weed suppression material 12 is created byblown film extrusion, cast film extrusion with or without orientation,or any other plastic film production process. The biodegradable weedsuppression material 12 has a thickness of 1.0 mils to 10.0 mils.Preferably, the thickness of the biodegradable weed suppression material12 is from 1.5 mils to 6.0 mils. For planting beds, the biodegradableweed suppression material 12 is microperforated for moisture control andair permeability. The degree of perforation assures that water vapor andair can pass through the biodegradable weed suppression material 12while preventing weeds from breaching the biodegradable weed suppressionmaterial 12.

The resins mixtures may include any additive to the biodegradable resinmixture that does not affect biodegradability. Such additives mayinclude for example, moisture control agents, fillers, colorants, andcompatibilizers. Alternatively, the resins mixtures may includeadditives that control biodegradability such as UV stabilizers andthermal stabilizers.

The weed suppression material 12 generally biodegrades in a linearfashion over time. A weed suppression material made of 100% PBS resinbiodegrades faster than blends of PBS resin and PHA resin. Because PBSis a class of polymers, other polymers in the class may degrade moreslowly than the identified PBS resin that was used in the testsdescribed herein. In addition to the effect of the blend of PBS resinand PHA resin, the rate of biodegradation is affected by the thicknessof the weed suppression material 12, the amount of moisture to which theweed suppression material 12 is exposed, the temperature, any UVradiation that penetrates the ground cover, and bacteria in theunderlying soil. Thicker weed suppression material 12 biodegrades slowerthan thinner weed suppression material 12. Biodegradation rate isincreased by the presence of moisture in contact with the weedsuppression material 12, by increased temperature, by the presence of UVradiation, and by the presence of bacteria in the underlying soil.

The biodegradable weed suppression material 12 was tested by field teststo determine biodegradation over approximately an eight-month period oftime to determine weed suppression and biodegradation. The biodegradableweed suppression material 12 that was used in the field testing was animpervious film without microperforation. Four sets of bags wereconstructed of biodegradable weed suppression material. The first set ofbags of weed suppression material was formed from 100% PBS resin(Material 100). Material 100 had an average thickness of 3.61 mils. Thesecond set of bags of weed suppression material was formed from a blendof 75% PBS resin and 25% PHA resin (Material 75/25). Material 75/25 hadan average thickness of 2.95 mils. The third set of bags of weedsuppression material was formed from a blend of 50% PBS resin and 50%PHA resin (Material 50/50). Material 50/50 had an average thickness of3.01 mils. The fourth set of bags of weed suppression material wasformed from a blend of 25% PBS resin and 75% PHA resin (Material 25/75).Material 25/75 had an average thickness of 3.34 mils.

A first set of tests was undertaken to determine the durability of thebags made of the weed suppression material 12 during storage. In Test 1bags were constructed from the four materials identified above andfilled with red mulch (dyed ground pine). The bags in Test 1 were placedon a pallet and exposed to the elements. In Test 2 bags were filled withred mulch (dyed ground pine), placed on a pallet, covered with a whiteopaque sheet to provide UV protection, and exposed to the elements. InTest 3 bags filled were with garden soil, placed on a pallet, andexposed to the elements. In Test 4 bags were filled with garden soil,placed on a pallet, covered with a white opaque sheet to provide UVprotection, and exposed to the elements. In Test 5 bags were filled withpalm coir, placed on a pallet, and exposed to the elements. In Test 6bags were filled with palm coir, placed on a pallet, covered with awhite opaque sheet to provide UV protection, and exposed to theelements. The results of approximately eight months of exposure arereported in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Test 4 Test 5 Test 6 Material Red Mulch RedMulch Soil Soil Palm Coir Palm Coir (Start Uncovered Covered onUncovered Covered on Uncovered Covered on Dates) on Pallet Pallet onPallet Pallet on Pallet Pallet Material Nov. 12, 2014 Nov. 12, 2014 Oct.28, 2014 Oct. 28, 2014 Nov. 12, 2014 Nov. 12, 2014 100 Material Nov. 12,2014 Nov. 12, 2014 Oct. 30, 2014 Oct. 30, 2014 Nov. 12, 2014 Nov. 12,2014 75/25 Material Nov. 12, 2014 Nov. 12, 2014 Oct. 30, 2014 Oct. 30,2014 Nov. 12, 2014 Nov. 12, 2014 50/50 Material Nov. 12, 2014 Nov. 12,2014 Oct. 28, 2014 Oct. 28, 2014 Nov. 12, 2014 Nov. 12, 2014 25/75 Dec.19, 2014 Red Mulch Red Mulch Soil Soil Palm Coir Palm Coir UncoveredCovered Uncovered Covered Uncovered Covered on Pallet on Pallet onPallet on Pallet on Pallet on Pallet Material 37 days: no 37 days: no 52days: no 52 days: no 37 days: no 37 days: no 100 breakdown breakdownbreakdown breakdown breakdown breakdown Material 37 days: no 37 days: no50 days: no 50 days: no 37 days: no 37 days: no 75/25 breakdownbreakdown breakdown breakdown breakdown breakdown Material 37 days: no37 days: no 50 days: no 50 days: no 37 days: no 37 days: no 50/50breakdown breakdown breakdown breakdown breakdown breakdown Material 37days: no 37 days: no 52 days: no 52 days: no 37 days: no 37 days: no25/75 breakdown breakdown breakdown breakdown breakdown breakdown Jan.15, 2015 Red Mulch Red Mulch Soil Soil Palm Coir Palm Coir UncoveredCovered Uncovered Covered Uncovered Covered on Pallet on Pallet onPallet on Pallet on Pallet on Pallet Material 62 days: 62 days: 77 days:no 77 days: no 62 days: no 62 days: no 100 breakdown breakdown breakdownbreakdown breakdown breakdown begun begun Material 62 days: 62 days: 79days: no 79 days: no 62 days: no 62 days: no 75/25 breakdown breakdownbreakdown breakdown breakdown breakdown begun begun Material 62 days: no62 days: no 79 days: no 79 days: no 62 days: no 62 days: no 50/50breakdown breakdown breakdown breakdown breakdown breakdown Material 62days: no 62 days: no 77 days: no 77 days: no 62 days: no 62 days: no25/75 breakdown breakdown breakdown breakdown breakdown breakdown Jun.26, 2015 Red Mulch Red Mulch Soil Soil Palm Coir Palm Coir UncoveredCovered Uncovered Covered Uncovered Covered on Pallet on Pallet onPallet on Pallet on Pallet on Pallet Material 226 days: 226 days: 239days: 239 days: 226 days: 226 days: 100 top bag top bag top bag nocracked on no open on top open on top open on top breakdown topbreakdown Material 226 days: 226 days: 237 days: 237 days: 226 days: 226days: 75/25 top bag no top bag no open on top no open on top breakdownopen on top breakdown breakdown Material 226 days: 226 days: 237 days:237 days: 226 days: 226 days: 50/50 top bag no top bag no open on top noopen on top breakdown open on top breakdown breakdown Material 226 days:226 days: 239 days: 239 days: 226 days: 226 days: 25/75 top bag no topbag no open on top no open on top breakdown open on top breakdownbreakdown

The test results indicate that the bags on top of the pallet that wereexposed to sunlight, and therefore UV radiation, had begun to breakdownby 226 days. By contrast, the covered bags did not experiencesignificant breakdown at 226 days. Where bags are used to supply mulchin accordance with the present invention, 4-6 months is considered thenormal timeframe for which the bags will be transported, handled, andstored. Consequently, the bags constructed of the four materialsdescribed above performed adequately when shielded from UV radiation.Consequently, the bags constructed of weed suppression material inaccordance with the present invention should be shipped in palletscovered by opaque material that blocks UV radiation or by other means toreduce exposure to light.

A second set of tests were undertaken to determine the performance ofthe weed suppression material 12. In Test 7, of the four weedsuppression materials described above were placed on top of the soil ofa planting bed, left uncovered by mulch, and exposed to the elements. InTest 8, the four weed suppression materials were placed on top of thesoil of a planting bed, covered with garden soil, and exposed to theelements. In Test 9, the four weed suppression materials were placed ontop of the soil of a planting bed, covered with red mulch, and exposedto the elements. The results of approximately 8 months of exposure arereported in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Material Test 7 Test 8 Test 9 (Start Plastic on Soil CoveredMulch Covered Dates) Top of Soil in Ground in Ground Material Oct. 30,2014 Oct. 31, 2014 Nov. 13, 2014 100 Material Oct. 30, 2014 Oct. 31,2014 Nov. 13, 2014 75/25 Material Oct. 30, 2014 Oct. 31, 2014 Nov. 13,2014 50/50 Material Oct. 30, 2014 Oct. 31, 2014 Nov. 13, 2014 25/75 Dec.19, 2014 Plastic on Soil Covered Mulch Covered Top of Soil in Ground inGround Material 50 days: no 49 days: weeds 36 days: weeds 100 breakdownsuppressed; no suppressed; breakdown no breakdown below soil below soilMaterial 50 days: no 49 days: weeds 36 days: weeds 75/25 breakdownsuppressed; no suppressed; breakdown no breakdown below soil below soilMaterial 50 days: no 49 days: weeds 36 days: weeds 50/50 breakdownsuppressed; no suppressed; breakdown no breakdown below soil below soilMaterial 50 days: no 49 days: weeds 36 days: weeds 25/75 breakdownsuppressed; no suppressed; breakdown no breakdown below soil below soilJan. 15, 2015 Plastic on Soil Covered Mulch Covered Top of Soil inGround in Ground Material 77 days: no 76 days: weeds 63 days: weeds 100breakdown suppressed suppressed Material 77 days: no 76 days: weeds 63days: weeds 75/25 breakdown suppressed suppressed Material 77 days: no76 days: weeds 63 days: weeds 50/50 breakdown suppressed suppressedMaterial 77 days: no 76 days: weeds 63 days: weeds 25/75 breakdownsuppressed suppressed Jan. 27, 2015 Plastic on Soil Covered MulchCovered Top of Soil in Ground in Ground Material 89 days: 88 days: weeds75 days: weeds 100 breakdown suppressed suppressed; no along creasebreakdown underground Material 89 days: no 88 days: weeds 75 days: weeds75/25 breakdown suppressed suppressed; no breakdown underground Material89 days: no 88 days: weeds 75 days: weeds 50/50 breakdown suppressedsuppressed; no breakdown underground Material 89 days: no 88 days: weeds75 days: weeds 25/75 breakdown suppressed suppressed; no breakdownunderground Feb. 20, 2015 Plastic on Soil Covered Mulch Covered Top ofSoil in Ground in Ground Material 112 days: weeds 99 days: weeds 100suppressed; suppressed; no breakdown breakdown underground begununderground Material 113 days: no 112 days: weeds 99 days: weeds 75/25breakdown suppressed; suppressed; no breakdown breakdown undergroundbegun underground Material 112 days: weeds 99 days: weeds 50/50suppressed; no suppressed; no breakdown breakdown undergroundunderground Material 112 days: weeds 99 days: weeds 25/75 suppressed; nosuppressed; no breakdown breakdown underground underground Apr. 24, 2015Plastic on Soil Covered Mulch Covered Top of Soil in Ground in GroundMaterial 175 days: weeds 162 days: weeds 100 suppressed suppressedMaterial 175 days: weeds 162 days: weeds 75/25 suppressed suppressedMaterial 175 days: weeds 162 days: weeds 50/50 suppressed suppressedMaterial 175 days: weeds 162 days: weeds 25/75 suppressed suppressedJun. 26, 2015 Plastic on Soil Covered Mulch Covered in Top of Soil inGround Ground Material 237 days: 238 days: weeds 225 days: weeds 100very little suppressed; suppressed; breakdown starting to very littlebreakdown breakdown Material 237 days: little 238 days: weeds 225 days:weeds 75/25 breakdown suppressed; suppressed; little starting tobreakdown breakdown Material 237 days: some 239 days: weeds 225 days:weeds 50/50 breakdown suppressed; suppressed; little starting tobreakdown breakdown Material 237 days: some 239 days: weeds 225 days:weeds 25/75 breakdown suppressed; suppressed; little starting tobreakdown breakdown

The test results show that each of the weed suppression materials 12perform satisfactorily to suppress weeds during the test period. Thetests show that by the end of approximately 230 days, all four materialswere beginning to breakdown.

As previously indicated, where the ground cover is spread over a largearea without planting beds, the weed suppression material 12 in the bag10 may be impervious to both air and water to ensure total weed controlby depriving the weeds in the underlying soil of moisture and air. Insuch circumstances, the impervious weed suppression material 12 may alsobe used to direct the flow of water toward drainage facilities or towardadjacent plant beds to increase the water available for such adjacentplanting beds. Such an impervious weed suppression material may include,among other materials, a plastic film or a coated paper laminate. Theplastic film or the coated paper laminate may be either permanent orbiodegradable/compostable depending on the application. The plastic filmor the coated paper laminate may also be colored to blend with the colorof the ground cover.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the bag 10 comprises a first frontpanel 20, a second front panel 22, and a back panel 24. The first frontpanel 20, the second front panel 22, and the back panel 24 are allconnected together at a first side edge 26, a second side edge 28, afirst end edge 30, and a second end edge 32 to form the bag 10 forpackaging the ground cover material 14 during shipping, handling, andstorage. The bag 10 further has a center tear strip or indicia 34, afirst end tear strip 36, and a second end tear strip 38. (The terms“tear strip” or “indicia” as used hereinafter should be understood torefer to bonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tear strips,perforations, or printed cut lines.) The center tear strip 34interconnects the first front panel 20 and the second front panel 22.The first end tear strip 36 connects the edges of the first front panel20, the second front panel 22, and the back panel 24 along the first endedge 30. The second end tear strip 38 connects the edges of the firstfront panel 20, the second front panel 22, and the back panel 24 alongthe second end edge 32.

In order to use the bag 10 for weed suppression, the center tear strip34, the first end tear strip 36, and the second end tear strip 38 areremoved from the bag 10. With the tear strips 34, 36, and 38 removed,the bag 10 is then unfolded as shown in FIG. 2. A first side fold line42 corresponds to the first side edge 26 of the bag 10 (FIG. 1), and asecond side fold line 44 corresponds to the second side edge 28 of thebag 10 (FIG. 1). Once the bag 10 has been unfolded as shown in FIG. 2,the ground cover 14 is spread over the bag 10 in its open and unfoldedconfiguration.

Although the bag 10 has been described in connection with the use oftear strips 34, 36, and 38, as indicated above, other opening means,such as bonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, perforations, orprinted cut lines may be used in connection with the present invention.Particularly, the printed cut lines direct the user to those places onthe bag that should be cut in order to open the bag 10 to its open andunfolded configuration shown in FIG. 2. Instead of printed cut lines,perforations may be provided to facilitate the opening of the bag 10along the edges and center. In another embodiment, instead of a tearstrip, the edges 30 and 32 may be sealed by a standard sewn closurewhich is easily opened by pulling on the thread of the sewn closure.Also, the center tear strip 34 may be accessible from the inside of thebag once the edges have been opened by removing the tear strips 36 and38.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of a bag 100 of the presentinvention. The bag 100 comprises a first front panel 120, a second frontpanel 122, and a back panel 124. The first front panel 120, the secondfront panel 122, and the back panel 124 are all connected together at afirst end edge 126, a second end edge 128, a first side edge 130, and asecond side edge 132 to form the bag 100 for packaging the ground covermaterial during shipping, handling, and storage. The bag 100 further hasa center tear strip 134, a first side tear strip 136, and a second sidetear strip 138. The center tear strip 134 interconnects the first frontpanel 120 and the second front panel 122. The first side tear strip 136connects the edges of the first front panel 120, the second front panel122, and the back panel 124 along the first side edge 130. The secondside tear strip 138 connects the edges of the first front panel 120, thesecond front panel 122, and the back panel 124 along the second sideedge 132.

In order to use the bag 100 as a weed suppression material, the centertear strip 134, the first side tear strip 136, and the second side tearstrip 138 are removed from the bag 100. With the tear strips 134, 136,and 138 removed, the bag 100 is then unfolded as shown in FIG. 4. Afirst end fold line 142 corresponds to the first end edge 126 of the bag100, and a second end fold line 144 corresponds to the second end edge128 of the bag 100. Once the bag 100 has been unfolded as shown in FIG.4, the ground cover material 14 contained within the bag 100 is spreadover the bag 100 in its open and unfolded configuration. Further, aspreviously stated, other opening indicia, such as bonded seams (glued orhot melted), sewn seams, perforations, or printed cut lines, can besubstituted for the tear strips 134, 136, and 138.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of a bag 200 of the presentinvention. The bag 200 comprises a front panel 220 and a back panel 224.The front panel 120 and the back panel 224 are connected together at afirst side edge 226, a second side edge 228, a first end edge 230, and asecond end edge 232 to form the bag 200 for packaging the ground covermaterial during shipping, handling, and storage. The bag 200 further hasa side tear strip 234, a first end tear strip 236, and a second end tearstrip 238. The side tear strip 234 interconnects the front panel 220 andthe back panel 224. The first end tear strip 236 interconnects the edgesof the front panel 220 and the back panel 224 along the first end edge230. The second end tear strip 238 interconnects the edges of the frontpanel 220 and the back panel 224 along the second end edge 232.

In order to use the bag 200 as a weed suppression material, the sidetear strip 234, the first end tear strip 236, and the second end tearstrip 238 are removed from the bag 200. With the tear strips 234, 236,and 238 removed, the bag 200 is then unfolded as shown in FIG. 6. A sidefold line 244 corresponds to the second side edge 228 of the bag 200(FIG. 5). Once the bag 200 has been unfolded as shown in FIG. 6, theground cover material 14 contained within the bag 200 is spread over thebag 200 in its open and unfolded configuration. Further, as previouslystated, other opening indicia, such as bonded seams (glued or hotmelted), sewn seams, perforations, and printed cut lines, can besubstituted for the tear strips 234, 236, and 238.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a fourth embodiment of a bag 300 of the presentinvention. The bag 300 comprises a front panel 320 and a back panel 324.The front panel 320 and the back panel 324 are connected together at afirst end edge 326, a second end edge 328, a first side edge 330, and asecond side edge 332 to form the bag 300 for packaging the ground covermaterial during shipping, handling, and storage. The bag 300 further hasan end tear strip 334, a first side tear strip 336, and a second sidetear strip 338. The end tear strip 334 interconnects the front panel 320and the back panel 324. The first side tear strip 336 interconnects theedges of the front panel 320 and the back panel 324 along the first sideedge 330. The second side tear strip 338 interconnects the edges of thefront panel 320 and the back panel 324 along the second side edge 332.

In order to use the bag 300 as a weed suppression material, the end tearstrip 334, the first side tear strip 336, and the second side tear strip338 are removed from the bag 300. With the tear strips 334, 336, and 338removed, the bag 300 is then unfolded as shown in FIG. 8. A side foldline 344 corresponds to the second end edge 328 of the bag 300 (FIG. 7).Once the bag 300 has been unfolded as shown in FIG. 8, the ground covermaterial 14 contained within the bag 300 is spread over the bag 300 inits open and unfolded configuration. Further, as previously stated,other opening indicia, such as bonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewnseams, perforations, or printed cut lines, can be substituted for thetear strips 334, 336, and 338.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a fifth embodiment of a bag 400 of the presentinvention. The bag 400 comprises a first front panel 420 with an extraunderlying panel 421, a second front panel 422 with an extra underlyingpanel 423, and a back panel 424. The first front panel 420 with itsextra underlying panel 421, the second front panel 422 with its extraunderlying panel 423, and the back panel 24 are all connected togetherat a first side edge 426, a second side edge 428, a first end edge 430,and a second end edge 432 to form the bag 400 for packaging the groundcover material during shipping, handling, and storage. The bag 400further has a center tear strip 434, a first end tear strip 436, and asecond end tear strip 438. The center tear strip 434 interconnects thefirst front panel 420 and the second front panel 422. The first end tearstrip 436 interconnects the edges of the first front panel 420, thesecond front panel 422, and the back panel 424 along the first end edge430. The second end tear strip 438 interconnects the edges of the firstfront panel 420, the second front panel 422, and the back panel 424along the second end edge 432. The underlying panel 421 is hinged to thefirst front panel 420 adjacent the center tear strip 434 and is foldedback underneath the first front panel 420 inside of the bag 400.Likewise, the underlying panel 423 is hinged to the second front panel422 adjacent the center tear strip 434 and is folded back underneath thesecond front panel 422 inside of the bag 400. The extra underlying panel421 and the extra underlying panel 423 may be placed above the firstfront panel 420 and the second front panel 422, respectively, instead ofunderlying those front panels 420 and 422.

In order to use the bag 400 as a weed suppression material, the centertear strip 434, the first end tear strip 436, and the second end tearstrip 438 are removed from the bag 400. With the tear strips 434, 436,and 438 removed, the bag 400 is then unfolded as shown in FIG. 10. Afirst side fold line 442 corresponds to the first side edge 426 of thebag 10. A second side fold line 444 corresponds to the second side edge428 of the bag 400. A third fold line 441 corresponds to the hingedconnection between the first front panel 420 and its underlying panel421. A fourth fold line 443 corresponds to the hinged connection betweenthe second front panel 422 and its underlying panel 423. The extraunderlying panels 421 and 423 provide extra weed suppression material toaccommodate the volume of ground cover material contained within the bag400. Once the bag 400 has been unfolded as shown in FIG. 10, the groundcover material 14 contained within the bag 400 is spread over the bag400 in its open and unfolded configuration with its extra area providedby the extra panels 421 and 423. Further, as previously stated, otheropening indicia, such as bonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams,perforations, or printed cut lines, can be substituted for the tearstrips 434, 436, and 438.

Preferably, the bags 10, 100, 200, 300 and 400 are flat tube bags thatare sewn at the edges and along one side to provide the opening lines.Other types of bags, such as gusset bags, may be used in connection withthe invention.

One construction of bags in accordance with the present inventioncomprises a tube bag made of three layers of 50 pound basis weight, wetstrength Kraft paper. The bags were installed in planting beds with pinebark mulch. Over a seven-month period, the bags had begun to degrade inresponse to environmental conditions. The bags, however, continued tosuppress weed growth at approximately a 90% reduction compared toplanting beds without the weed suppression material.

The construction of bag 10 or 200 is suitable for use with a method forplanting individual plants, such as flowers and/or vegetables in aplanting bed with existing soil. Particularly, the bag 10 or 200 isconstructed of water permeable, biodegradable material, and the bag 10or 200 is filled with ground cover including but not limited to enrichedcomposted soil, mulches (organic and inorganic), soil amendmentproducts, or mixtures thereof. The bag 10 or 200 is laid out on theplanting bed, opened along indicia 34, 36, and 38 for the bag 10 oralong indicia 234, 236, and 238 for the bag 200. Once opened the bag 10or 200 is unfolded to a flat configuration, the ground cover in the bag10 or 200 is spread out to cover the water permeable, biodegradablematerial of the bag 10 or 200. In order to facilitate the spreading ofthe ground cover over the water permeable, biodegradable material of thebag 10 or 200, a lip may optionally be created along the edge of theflattened bag by folding and securing the material to itself along theindicia. The lip provides a barrier to retain the ground cover fromspreading beyond the edge of the flattened bag. Once the bag 10 or 200has been opened, laid flat, and covered with the ground cover,individual openings are made through the ground cover, through the waterpermeable, biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 200, and into theunderlying soil of the planting bed. Individual plants are then insertedinto each of the openings. Each individual plant therefore is in contactwith the overlying ground cover, the water permeable, biodegradablematerial of the bag 10 or 200, and the underlying soil of the plantingbed. The method employing the bag 10 or 200 for planting individualplants in the planting bed offers several advantages. First, the groundcover in the bag 10 or 200 amends the soil of the planting bed anddelivers nutrients to the individual plants. Second, the waterpermeable, biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 200 creates a weedbarrier between the individual plants. Third, the water permeable,biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 200 acts as a mulch to retainmoisture in the soil of the planting bed. Fourth, the water permeable,biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 20 degrades over the course of agrowing season so that the bag material can simply be tilled into thesoil of the planting bed the following year thereby eliminating the needto dispose of the bag 10 or 200.

The construction of bag 100 or 300 constitutes a foundation buffer bagand is suitable for use with a method for creating a protective bufferzone about 12-18 inches in width around the foundation of a building toinhibit the intrusion of insects and to protect against water damage.The buffer bag 100 or 300 is constructed of a water impermeable,non-degradable material, and the buffer bag 100 or 300 is filled with aground cover such as rock material or synthetic particles. In the firststep of the method, organic material is removed from the buffer zonearound the foundation of the building. The grade of the buffer zoneshould slope away from the foundation. The buffer bag 100 or 300 isdimensioned to coincide with the width of the buffer zone. After thebuffer zone has been cleared of organic material and graded, the bufferbag 100 or 300 is laid in the buffer zone adjacent the foundation of thebuilding, opened along indicia 134, 136, and 138 for the buffer bag 100and along indicia 334, 336, and 338 for the buffer bag 300, and unfoldedto a flat configuration covering the buffer zone adjacent the buildingfoundation. The buffer bag 100 or 300 may optionally have a lip aspreviously described with respect to the bag 10 or 200 used for plantingindividual plants in a planting bed. Once unfolded, the ground cover inthe buffer bag 100 or 300 is spread out to cover the flat impermeable,non-degradable material of the buffer bag 100 or 300 except for asegment of the impermeable, nondegradable material at one end of the bag100 or 300. The second buffer bag is laid out in the same fashion andoverlaps the uncovered segment of the first buffer bag. The ground coverin the second buffer bag is then spread out to cover the overlap leavinganother uncovered segment at the opposite end of the second buffer bagto accommodate the third buffer bag, and so on until the buffer zone iscovered with ground cover. The method employing the buffer bag 100 or300 for creating the protective buffer zone around the foundation of thebuilding offers several advantages. First, the ground cover, such asrock material and synthetic particles, in the protective buffer zoneinhibits ingress of insects to the foundation of the building. Second,the ground cover in the bag can be selected for size, shape, andcoloration in order to provide a desired aesthetic appearance for thebuffer zone. Third, because the material of the bag is water permeableand non-degradable the flattened bag can serve as flashing to directwater away from the foundation of the building.

Turning to FIGS. 16-19, a buffer spray bag 1600 is used to create achemical pesticide barrier around the foundation of a building.Particularly, the spray bag 1600 comprises a front panel 1620 and a backpanel 1624. The front panel 1620 and the back panel 1624 are formed of acontinuous web of water impermeable, non-degradable material with a fold1658 at fold end 1657. At the opposite opening end 1661, the front panel1620 and the back panel 1624 are coterminous. The front panel 1620 has apair of front panel sleeves 1648 connected along the side edges 1626,and the back panel 1624 has a pair of back panel sleeves 1650 connectedalong the side edges 1628. The sleeves 1648 and 1650 are formed byoverlapping portions of side edges 1626 and 1628 of the front panel 1620and the back panel 1624 respectively and securing the overlap portionsby means gluing, heat bonding, or stitching along sleeve stitch lines1659 (FIG. 17). As best seen in FIG. 18, the back panel sleeves 1650 maybe slightly shorter than front panel sleeves 1648 so that a portion 1655of the back panel 1624 extends beyond the back panel sleeve 1650 at theopening end 1661 of the spray bag 1600. The portion 1655 assures that agap 1653 exists between the back panel sleeves 1650 and the front panelsleeves 1648 sleeves when spray bags 1600 are laid end to end (FIG. 19).

With reference to FIG. 16, the spray bag 1600 is enclosed by stitchingthe front panel 1620 and the back panel 1624 together along the sidestitch lines 1664, along the fold end stitch line 1662, and along theopening end stitch line 1660. Prior to closing the spray bag 1600 bymeans of opening end stitch line 1660, the spray bag 1600 is filled withground cover 1614, such as rock material or synthetic particles. Inalternative embodiments, the spray bag 1600 may have sleeves 1648 and1650 only on one side of the spray bag 1600. In addition, the sleeves1648 and 1650 and the front and back panels 1620 and 1624 may be joinedby means other than stitching, including for example gluing.

In order to use the spray bag 1600, the spray bag 1600 is first placedflat on the ground adjacent the foundation 1668 (FIG. 19) of a buildingand is opened by removing the stitching along the side stitch lines1664, along fold end stitch line 1662, and along opening end stitch line1660. Once the stitching has been removed, the spray bag 1600 is opened.In FIG. 17, the spray bag 1600 is shown in a partially openedconfiguration, and the spray bag 1600 is shown in its fully openconfiguration in FIGS. 18 and 19. Because the front panel 1620 and theback panel 1624 are joined by the fold 1658 that extends beyond the endsof the front panel sleeves 1648 and the back panel sleeves 1650, gaps1652 R created between adjacent the front panel sleeves 1648 and theback panel sleeves 1650. Once the spray bag 1600 has been laid flat asshown in FIGS. 18 and 19, tubing 1654 is inserted into the sleeves 1648and 1650. Emitters or spray heads 1656 are then attached to the tubing1654 where the tubing 1654 is exposed at the gaps 1652 and 1653. Withreference to FIG. 19, a liquid pesticide is delivered under pressurethrough the tubing 1654 to emitters 1656 to thereby create spraypatterns 1666 above the ground cover 1614. By periodically treating theground cover 1614 with the liquid pesticide, insects and other pests maybe controlled around the foundation 1668.

The construction of bags 10, 100, 200, and 300 are suitable for use witha method for controlling erosion at the point where a downspout or otherconduit discharges water onto the surrounding landscape or where otherwater runoff channels on a landscape occur. The bags 10, 100, 200, and300 are constructed of a water permeable, non-degradable material, andthe bags 10, 100, 200, and 300 are filled with ground cover, such asrock material or synthetic particles. The water permeable,non-degradable bags 10, 100, 200, and 300 are laid out so that thedownspout or other conduit or runoff channel discharges water directlyonto the front panels 20 and 22 of the bag 10, the front panels 120 and122 of the bag 100, the front panel 220 of the bag 200, and the frontpanel 320 of the bag 300. Because the material of the bags 10, 100, 200,and 300 is water permeable, the water passes into the bags and isdispersed into the surrounding soil through the back panel 24 of the bag10, the back panel 124 of the bag 100, the back panel 224 of the bag200, and the back panel 324 of the bag 300. The back panels may be lesswater permeable than the front panels. The ground cover providesstructure for the bag and keeps the back panel of the bag frictionallyengaged with the soil below. Alternatively, the water permeable,non-degradable bags 10, 100, 200, and 300 may be open along indicia 34,36, and 38 of the bag 10, indicia 134, 136, and 138 of the bag 100,indicia 234, 236, and 238 of the bag 200, and indicia 334, 336, and 338of the bag 300 and unfolded to a flat configuration under the downspout.The ground cover is then spread over the flat bag so that the waterdischarged from the downspout impinges directly on the ground cover. Theground cover holds the water permeable, non-degradable material of thebag securely against the underlying soil to frictionally engage and holdthe soil in place. The bag material can be colored to blend with thelandscape when the bag is used unopened, and the ground cover can besized, shaped, and colored for aesthetic purposes when the bag is usedin the opened and flat configuration.

With reference to FIGS. 13-15, and alternative downspout bag 1400 isuseful for controlling erosion at the point where a downspout 1300 orother conduit discharges water onto the surrounding landscape or whereother water runoff channels on a landscape occur. The downspout bag 1400is constructed of a water permeable, non-degradable material, and thedownspout bag 1400 is filled with ground cover 1414, such as rockmaterial or synthetic particles. The water permeable, non-degradabledownspout bag 1400 is positioned under the downspout 1300 or otherconduit or runoff channel as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

The downspout bag 1400 has a front panel 1420, a back panel (not shown),and an overlying flap 1446. The downspout bag 1400 is enclosed byjoining the front panel 1420 to the back panel by means of stitch lines1464 along sides 1428, by means of an upstream end stitch line 1462along upstream end 1457, and by means of a downstream end stitch line1460 along downstream end 1461. The overlying flap 1446 is an extensionof either the front panel 1420 or the back panel of the downspout bag1400. The back panel and the overlying flap 1446 may be less waterpermeable than the front panel 1420 in order to direct the water flowaway from the downspout 1300. Before use, the downspout flap 1446 isfolded over onto the front panel 1420 and is temporarily attached to thefront panel 1420. In use, the flap 1446 is detached from the front panel1420 and unfolded into the position shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. Thedownspout 1300 discharges water directly onto the front panel 1420 ofthe downspout bag 1400. Because the material of the downspout bag 1400is permeable, the water passes into the downspout bag 1400 and isdispersed into the surrounding soil through the back panel (not shown)of the downspout bag 1400. The ground cover 1414 provides structure forthe downspout bag 1400 and keeps the back panel of the downspout bag1400 frictionally engaged with the soil below. In addition, thedownspout flap 1446 provides a spillway for water that has not soakedthrough the back panel of the downspout bag 1400 and into the soilbelow. Consequently, the downspout flap 1446 alleviates soil erosionthat might occur at the downstream end 1461 of the downspout bag 1400.

While this invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that variations andmodifications can be affected within the spirit and scope of theinvention as described herein and as described in the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A weed suppression system for a planting bed having soil,the system comprising: a. a bag comprising: i. a front panel formed froma sheet of weed suppression material and having a front panel area; ii.a back panel formed from a sheet of weed suppression material and havinga back panel area, wherein the front panel and the back panel are joinedat their end edges and their side edges to form a completely enclosedbag, wherein at least one end edge or one side edge constitutes a foldline, and wherein the bag has a bag area comprising the front panel areaand the back panel area; and iii. indicia along which the bag is openedso that the bag unfolds along the fold line into a single flat sheet ofweed suppression material including the entire bag area; and iv. whereinthe weed suppression material is in contact with existing soil andcomprises a porous, water permeable, biodegradable film formed from apolybutylene succinate (PBS) resin; and b. a sufficient amount of groundcover contained within the bag to cover the bag area when the bag isunfolded and laid flat on the soil.
 2. The weed suppression system ofclaim 1, wherein the weed suppression material comprises a porous, waterpermeable, biodegradable film formed from a blend of polybutylenesuccinate (PBS) resin and a polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA) resin.
 3. Theweed suppression system of claim 2, wherein the weed suppressionmaterial comprises a porous, water permeable, biodegradable film formedfrom blends ranging between 100%-25% of the polybutylene succinate (PBS)resin and 0%-75% of the polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA) resin.
 4. The weedsuppression system of claim 3, wherein the rate of biodegradation theweed suppression material increases with a decreased percentage ofpolyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA) resin in the resin blend.
 5. The weedsuppression system of claim 1, wherein the weed suppression material hasperforations to provide vapor permeability.
 6. The weed suppressionsystem of claim 1, wherein the weed suppression material is colored tomatch the color of the ground cover.
 7. The weed suppression system ofclaim 1, wherein the weed suppression material includes an additiveselected from the group comprising fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide,herbicide, or beneficial microbes for release into the underlying soilwherein an amount of the additive is based on the bag area.
 8. The weedsuppression system of claim 1, wherein the ground cover material isselected from the group comprising mulch, rock material, composted soil,and ground synthetic particles.
 9. The weed suppression system of claim1, wherein the bag has a temporary removable impervious inner lineradjacent the weed suppression material.
 10. The weed suppression systemof claim 1, wherein the bag has a temporary removable impervious outerliner adjacent the weed suppression material.
 11. A method forcontrolling weeds in a planting bed having soil, the method comprising:a. placing a bag on the soil of the planting bed, the bag comprising: i.a front panel formed from a sheet of weed suppression material andhaving a front panel area; ii. a back panel formed from a sheet of weedsuppression material and having a back panel area, wherein the frontpanel and the back panel are joined at their end edges and their sideedges to form a completely enclosed bag filled with ground cover,wherein at least one end edge or one side edge constitutes a fold line,and wherein the bag has a bag area comprising the front panel area andthe back panel area and wherein the ground cover is in a sufficientamount to cover the bag area when the bag is unfolded and laid flat onthe soil; and iii. indicia along which the bag is opened so that the bagunfolds along the fold line into a single flat sheet of weed suppressionmaterial including the entire bag area; iv. wherein the weed suppressionmaterial is in contact with existing soil and comprises a porous, waterpermeable, biodegradable film formed from a polybutylene succinate (PBS)resin; and b. opening the bag along the indicia and unfolding the bag tolay flat on the soil; and c. spreading the ground cover over the frontpanel and the back panel of the unfolded bag.
 12. The method of claim11, wherein the weed suppression material comprises a porous, waterpermeable, biodegradable film formed from a blend of polybutylenesuccinate (PBS) resin and a polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA) resin.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the weed suppression material comprises aporous, water permeable, biodegradable film formed from blends rangingbetween 100%-25% of the polybutylene succinate (PBS) resin and 0%-75% ofthe polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA) resin.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein the rate of biodegradation the weed suppression materialincreases with a decreased percentage of polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA)resin in the resin blend.
 15. The method system of claim 11, wherein theweed suppression material has perforations to provide vaporpermeability.
 16. The method system of claim 11, wherein the weedsuppression material is colored to match the color of the ground cover.17. The method system of claim 11, wherein the weed suppression materialincludes an additive selected from the group comprising fertilizer,pesticide, insecticide, herbicide, or beneficial microbes for releaseinto the underlying soil wherein an amount of the additive is based onthe bag area.
 18. The method system of claim 11, wherein the groundcover material is selected from the group comprising mulch, rockmaterial, composted soil, and ground synthetic particles.
 19. The methodsystem of claim 11, wherein the bag has a temporary removable imperviousinner liner adjacent the weed suppression material.
 20. The methodsystem of claim 11, wherein the bag has a temporary removable imperviousouter liner adjacent the weed suppression material.